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Having switched my wifeís laptop for an Imac last year I am now considering switching my desktop to a mac pro. I love using the imac and have just finished my first dvd using imovie and idvd (family video for grandparents). The process was so smooth and convinced me to go down the mac route for myself.

However I have some concerns and would be very grateful if someone could help answer them. I will put them in bullet points for ease:-

1. I have a cable modem from Virgin (UK) connected to a linksys wireless router and from there by cable to my PC by Ethernet cable. Will I be able to have the same set up with the mac pro?

2. I have a 24inch display from HP. It has DVI, VGA and HDMI inputs. Will I be able to use this with the mac pro?

3. I am a photographer and the above screen is calibrated for colour using an eye one. Will I be able to calibrate the screen when connected to a mac pro?

4. As I said I am a photographer and currently have 4 external hard drives (3 usb2 and 1 Fire wire) connected to my PC. Will I be able to just unplug from the PC and replug into the mac pro and see my files?

5. I have an iphone and extensive itunes library. Is it possible to switch these across to the mac pro without problems and loss of data?

I think that is all my major questions and concerns for now. As I said any help appreciated.

1. I have a cable modem from Virgin (UK) connected to a linksys wireless router and from there by cable to my PC by Ethernet cable. Will I be able to have the same set up with the mac pro?

Should do. you might need to dig up some password or other, and you can always connect wirelessly too, if it takes your fancy.

2. I have a 24inch display from HP. It has DVI, VGA and HDMI inputs. Will I be able to use this with the mac pro?

Yes. Make sure you pick the right converter: there should be options to add this to your order if you buy from apple online.

3. I am a photographer and the above screen is calibrated for colour using an eye one. Will I be able to calibrate the screen when connected to a mac pro?

Yes, though I'm not sure you'll be able to use "eye one", whatever that is.

4. As I said I am a photographer and currently have 4 external hard drives (3 usb2 and 1 Fire wire) connected to my PC. Will I be able to just unplug from the PC and replug into the mac pro and see my files?

From what I understand, you will be able to READ files, but not write or edit (this is due to differing formats) Assuming you're using Vista.
If you use XP on a FAT filing system, I think it has writing capability too

5. I have an iphone and extensive itunes library. Is it possible to switch these across to the mac pro without problems and loss of data?

Yes. Turning on hidden files will allow you to copy all media directly from your iPod (I assume it's the same for iPhone), though if you have protected media, you'll have to authorise your computer, and you'll have to check up how to show hidden files - a google search should help you with that.

Waiting for the game that takes full advantage of a 124bit, 3.5GHz, 8-core, 64Gig-RAM system.

Much appreciated. I have just been speaking to someone at the Apple store in London. He is suggesting a 2.93 quad core mac pro over a 2.26 dual quad core. The quad core has 6gb of ram and a 4870 card. Any thoughts?

If I were you, I would save the 500 bucks it cost of upgrading to the 2.93ghz quad core and just stay at the 2.66ghz quad core. Stay with 6 gb of ram. The 4870 should be fine for you since you aren't doing any gaming but still would be nice for it. 640GB hard drive should be enough for you since you already stated that you have external hard drives. Given the specs of the system I outlined it should be more then enough for you. I say stick with 6gb of ram since snow leopard is coming out so you can have the extra memory when needed.

If I were you, I would save the 500 bucks it cost of upgrading to the 2.93ghz quad core and just stay at the 2.66ghz quad core. Stay with 6 gb of ram. The 4870 should be fine for you since you aren't doing any gaming but still would be nice for it. 640GB hard drive should be enough for you since you already stated that you have external hard drives. Given the specs of the system I outlined it should be more then enough for you. I say stick with 6gb of ram since snow leopard is coming out so you can have the extra memory when needed.

thanks for the help. I have an appt booked at the apple store today. The 2.93 they have comes with wireless card and dual SuperDrives for 2770 pounds. Obviously more expensive than stock in the US but what else is new.

Re the 2.66. I believe the only ones they have in stock come with the gt120 card and 3gb of rAm. If I want one today (and I do since I spent many hours yesterday sorting out all my windows data onto one HD). Then it looks like I need to go for the 2.93?

I am moving from a 2.66 duo windows vista pc so I am hoping for a noticeable speed jump

Don't rush into it because your eager, I have just made that mistake by ordering a MBP which will arrive tuesday, It will be returned back to Apple as I have also ordered a better MBP with specs I want...

A bit longer to wait but I got what I wanted in the end (the end is next friday or following monday)

Thanks for the advice all. Just been with the apple store in London. I went for the 2.66 quad core. It had 3gb ram but they agreed to give me the web upgrade price for 6 gb and fitted an extra HD as well. They are fitting the upgrades now while I go for a coffee and maybe a cheeky peice of cake. Oh and they are throwing in snow leopard for free.

Great service and I came out saving a few hundred pounds vs what I was going to spend first thing this morning.

Having switched from Windows to Mac last Christmas, the biggest pain was iTunes. If I could do one thing differently with the conversion, it would have been to purchase one of the iTunes export/conversion software packages.

The standard method does not convert play counts, play lists, and the like. I found a work around for play lists but is is so slow and highly manual, I only did it for a few of my really favorite lists. Essentially, I had to start over even though I had all the songs. A year later, no big deal. The first month? Big deal...

I can't recommend a particular software but know that if I were to give one recommendation, it would be to find one that specifically converts play counts and play lists for you automatically.

Thanks for the advice all. Just been with the apple store in London. I went for the 2.66 quad core. It had 3gb ram but they agreed to give me the web upgrade price for 6 gb and fitted an extra HD as well. They are fitting the upgrades now while I go for a coffee and maybe a cheeky peice of cake. Oh and they are throwing in snow leopard for free.

Great service and I came out saving a few hundred pounds vs what I was going to spend first thing this morning.

Josh

Congratulations Josh on your computer choice. Sounds like a real nice setup & it sounds like you're getting a decent deal on it.